Politics & Government

Knabe Hits the Campaign Trail

L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe hit the campaign trail Thursday, speaking to supporters in the Hacienda Heights backyard of Charles and Martha House.

L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe is gearing up for a final re-election campaign in 2012.

Knabe, whose district includes Diamond Bar, visited the Hacienda Heights home of Charles and Martha House on Thursday evening to continue building the campaign that started officially in May.

Knabe has the early support of local officials, including Diamond Bar Mayor Steve Tye and Walnut councilman Tony Cartagena, who were in attendance at the fundraiser Thursday.

Find out what's happening in Diamond Bar-Walnutwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I'm saddened to think that because of term limits, this will be his last term," Diamond Bar Mayor Steve Tye said.

Mayor Tye said the county-wide Safe Surrender program, which allows unwanted children to be handed over to a variety of county agencies to then be put up for adoption, is a testament to Knabe's work as a public official.

Find out what's happening in Diamond Bar-Walnutwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Knabe said Thursday that the program has placed 87 unwanted children into adoptive homes since it began, with three turned over to the county for adoption this year.

Cartagena said Knabe has been supportive of the county's contract cities like Diamond Bar and Walnut.

"(Knabe) has been very active with the California Contract Cities Association," Walnut councilman Tony Cartagena said. "He's always there supporting them."

The budget

Knabe said he isn't counting on the state for help in the coming years.

"Our state legislature — as we stand here — they're not dealing with the financial issues, but they are dealing with the issue of circumcision in San Francisco," Knabe said.

In June, Knabe criticized state legislators meeting a voter-mandated deadline that, if not met, would have stopped legislative paychecks.

"The legislature appears more concerned about getting their salary than getting the job done," Knabe said in a June statement.

While Knabe said the county is in better shape than the state, he also said demand for county services has risen and caseloads are up 22 percent with seeking assistance for the first time.

"We put a lot aside from the good times, but we don't know what the final hit from the state is going to be," Knabe said.

Redistricting

Knabe said Thursday that he is hoping for continuity as the county finishes a proposal to redraw districts for the Board of Supervisors.

The proposal that Knabe is supporting would add Santa Fe Springs and the rest of unincorporated Whittier to his district.

Knabe said he has particular concern about the final vote for a redistricting plan, which he said will require consensus from four of the county's five supervisors.

"If we approve a plan on a 3-2 vote, then it would go to a committee of the Sheriff, the (District Attorney), and the Tax Assessor to determine governance in L.A. County," Knabe said. "We're trying really hard to make sure that we don't overburden them into a situation where they have to work overtime."

The Stadium

Knabe said Thursday he hopes a football stadium will come to the City of Industry rather than downtown L.A., but that finding a team will be the linchpin.

"He who gets the team first, wins," Knabe said.

He said the inland stadium would be marketable to a broader population and that the project is closer to completion if a team is secured.

"Ed (Roski) is ready to go," Knabe said.

Negotiations for a team at the new stadium have been awaiting resolution of contract disputes between the NFL and its players. On Friday, the league's owners had approved an agreement that is still pending review from the league's players.


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